31 Roche Brothers Way, Suite 200, No. Easton, MA 
Caring for your child’s skin and lips in winter
January 31st, 2012
Harsh winter weather can take a toll on your child’s lips and skin. Cold, dry outdoor air and indoor heating can rob your child’s lips and skin of their natural moisture and cause uncomfortable dryness and chapping.
To protect your child from winter-related discomforts, follow these tips from the American Academy of Dermatology:
- Increase the moisture: Keep the air in your home moist with a humidifier.
- Don’t lick: The constant wetting and drying that occurs with licking quickly causes chapped lips.
- Cover your face: In the winter, especially on windy days, make sure your child is covered by a scarf or hat that covers his or her lips.
- Use lip balm and sunscreen on your child’s lips and skin: Because the sun can cause chapped lips and make already chapped lips worse, use a lip balm that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on your child’s body, even on cloudy days.
- Wash your child with gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and soaps.
- Apply liberal amounts of moisturizer to your child’s skin after bathing.
- Exercise extra caution around snow which can reflect the damaging rays of the sun and increase the chance of sunburn.
Learn more about caring for your child’s skin from the American Academy of Dermatology at http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/childrens-skin-care. Have questions? Phone 508.535.DERM (3376) to schedule an appointment with one of our Board certified dermatologists.
Tags: chapped lips, Children's skin, dry skin, protecting children's skin, Winter
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Fast Facts about Squamous Cell Carcinoma
December 19th, 2011
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer (after basal cell carcinoma)
- SCC is twice as common in men as in women
- Chronic exposure to sunlight causes most cases of SCC
- SCC results from an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells arising in the squamous cells of the skin
- SCC most often appears on skin that gets lots of sun. It also can appear inside the mouth, on the lip, or on the genitals
- People who use tanning beds are two-and-a-half times more likely to develop SCC than people who don’t
- SCC rarely appears before age 50. It occurs most often in individuals in their 70s
- An estimated 700,000 cases of SCC are diagnosed each year in the US, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths
- Certain rough, dry, scaly precancerous skin growths called actinic (solar) keratoses are associated with the later development of SCC. Most are related to cumulative sun exposure
- Between 2 and 10 percent of untreated actinic keratoses will become SCC
- See a dermatologist for a skin cancer check if you notice anything on your skin that lasts two weeks or longer and is growing, changing shape, bleeding or itching
Photo from http://www.skincancer.org
Tags: actinic keratoses, dry skin, rough skin, scaly skin, Squamous cell carcinoma
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Give your complexion a lift this season
November 22nd, 2011
Rejuvenize Peel™
Reduce the visibility of sun damage, lines and wrinkles, acne scars, and melasma with the Rejuvenize Peel ™ from SkinMedica at SSDP. This non-invasive treatment works quickly and easily to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and rough skin texture, and improve the effects of acne, acne scarring and melasma. The Rejuvenize Peel™ produces noticeable improvement after just one treatment and significant results after three to six peels.
EltaMD Moisturizer
This safe, effective moisturizer provides relief from skin problems associated with diabetes, renal disease and medications such as tretinoin. The waterproof, fast-melting formula spreads easily and moisturizes deeply to soothe irritation, redness and flaking. Safe to use around the eyes, EltaMD Moisturizer is non-comedogenic, sensitivity and fragrance free, and safe to use around the eyes.
To learn more about these and other cosmetic products from SSDP, contact our office at 508.535.3376, Option 7, or by email at http://www.southshorederm.com/contact.php.
Tags: Moisturizer, New products, peel
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Acne Truths & Myths
November 9th, 2011
Think you know the facts about acne? Test your knowledge with this short quiz from SSDP.
1. Acne is caused by dirty skin.
False. All types of acne are caused by clogged pores in the skin. Pores become clogged by increased production of oil in the skin and produce different types of acne lesions.
2. Acne only affects teenagers.
False. Acne can occur from infancy through adulthood. A growing number of women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond are developing acne, although it is not clear why this is happening.
3. The best way to treat acne is by vigorously washing or scrubbing the affected area.
False. Excessive washing of the skin can dry out and irritate the skin’s surface and prevent one
from using some of the more effective topical acne treatments which may be somewhat drying themselves.
4. Teenagers don’t need to be treated for acne since they’ll eventually outgrow it
False. Treating adolescents for acne prevents additional breakouts and scarring, and provides
psychological benefits such as increased self-esteem and reduced anxiety and depression.
5. Avoiding certain foods can help prevent breakouts.
Controversial. At one time it was felt that diet played no role in the development of acne. Now a segment of dermatologists believes that certain foods may indeed play a role in acne. Our belief is that if you find a food that consistently triggers acne in your skin, it is best to avoid it.
6. If you’re prone to acne breakouts, using oil-free products may help keep your skin clear.
True. Look for skin care products labeled “oil-free,” “non-comedogenic,” or “won’t clog pores.” You may have to experiment with different products to find the ones that work for you.
7. Only people with severe acne need treatment.
False. All types of acne are best treated at an early stage in order to avoid scarring, reduced
self-esteem, and increased risk of depression. The best way to determine the right treatment for acne-prone skin is by consulting a Board certified dermatologist who can diagnose the type of acne and recommend the proper course of treatment.
8. Most cases of acne can be controlled.
True. Today, there are many effective over-the-counter and prescription medications for
acne. While not every treatment regimen will work for every patient, one can usually find a treatment that is well-tolerated and effective.
If you have a question about acne or another skin problem, contact South Shore Dermatology Physicians (SSDP) at 508-535-3376 to schedule an appointment with one of our Board certified dermatologists.
Tags: breakouts, teenagers
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What’s this on my skin?
October 3rd, 2011
If you’ve ever had a sore that wouldn’t heal or a pimple that wouldn’t go away, chances are you may have wondered if it was basal cell carcinoma (BCC). BCC is often identified as a sore that doesn’t heal, but in truth, it can take many different forms.
BCC is also the most common and least serious of all skin cancers. While it almost never metastasizes (spreads to other parts of the body), it can grow deep in the skin to underlying structures and cause significant local destruction. The good news is basal cell carcinoma usually grows slowly and there are several effective treatment options for it.
Most often, basal cell carcinoma occurs on areas of the skin that get a lot of sun exposure. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, BCC may appear as a:
- Reddish patch of dry skin that won’t heal
- Flesh-colored (or pink, red, or brown) pearl-shaped lump
- Pimple that just won’t clear
- Sore that bleeds, heals, and then returns
- Scar that feels waxy — may be skin-colored, white, or yellow
- Group of slow-growing, shiny pink or red growths — look like sores, often scaly and bleed easily
- Flat or sunken growth — feels hard, may be white or yellow
The best way to ensure that a growth on the skin is not BCC or another form of skin cancer is to have it examined by a Board-certified dermatologist. If you have a question about a lesion on your skin, contact SSDP at 508.535.DERM (3376) to schedule an appointment with one of our expert physicians.
Photos from the American Academy of Dermatology
Tags: Basal cell carcinoma, BCC, skin cancer, sore that doesn't heal
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